MLK Day of Service

On the third Monday of January of each year, we recognize Martin Luther King Jr. and his efforts to unite communities to a more positive future. However, MLK Day is not just a day of remembrance or memorializing. The day is also designated as a national day of service. A day designed to energize Americans across the country to make a difference in their communities.

2014 National Day of Service Landscaping Day, vastateparksstaff, cc-by-2.0

Many communities do not take advantage of the MLK Day of Service enough. Yet this annual day of service is a great way to bring your community together and make a difference.

Americorps has been in charge of leading the MLK Day of Service efforts. Through the Americorps website, you can find opportunities to volunteer or register your own volunteer opportunity. Through their website, you can also gain access to their MLK Day of Service Toolkit. This toolkit provides social media shareables, press materials, and logos for use in your own social media campaigns or press releases related to projects in your community.

Popular website SignUpGenius has created a post in their own blog that lists 20 ideas for MLK Day of Service projects. Of course, the post was created to draw traffic to use their services to organize the acts of service suggested. However, the list can help conjure up service projects that may benefit your own community. SignUpGenius, or similar sites, are also an alternative way to commit people to your project. You can also anticipate the amount of interest so you are prepared for those interested, whether it is 5 people or 50.